Iran Retaliates After Leader's Reported Death
Iran has launched missile strikes against Israel and Gulf states following unconfirmed reports that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in a joint U.S.-Israeli operation. The U.S. has released video of the alleged operation, dubbed “Epic Fury,” as smoke was seen rising over Tehran, dramatically escalating regional tensions. The reports of Khamenei's death remain unconfirmed, but the retaliation is underway.
The joint U.S.-Israeli mission, dubbed "Operation Epic Fury" by the U.S. and "Operation Roaring Lion" by Israel, involved coordinated strikes from air, land, and sea platforms. Targets included Khamenei's office compound, the Ministry of Intelligence, Ministry of Defense, nuclear-related sites, and other military research facilities. The operation utilized a range of munitions, including Tomahawk cruise missiles and newly developed low-cost, one-way attack drones modeled after Iran's own Shahed drones. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has been killed at the age of 86, held the position of Supreme Leader for nearly 37 years, succeeding the founder of the Islamic Republic, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, in 1989. His rule was marked by a fierce anti-Western stance and the violent suppression of several major protest movements, including the 2022-2023 "Woman, Life, Freedom" uprising. Speculation about his health had been ongoing, and he rarely appeared in public or traveled outside of Iran. Iran's retaliatory missile and drone attacks targeted not only Israel but also multiple neighboring Gulf states that host U.S. military facilities. Projectiles were aimed at Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. A missile struck the headquarters of the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet in Bahrain, and Dubai International Airport was also hit, forcing passengers to evacuate. With Khamenei's death, a temporary leadership council has been formed to manage state affairs until a successor is chosen. This council consists of Iran's current president, Masoud Pezeshkian, the head of the judiciary, Gholam-Hossein Mohseni-Ejei, and a cleric from the Guardian Council. The 88-member Assembly of Experts is constitutionally mandated to select the new Supreme Leader "as soon as possible." The succession process is now underway, with several potential candidates being considered. Among the prominent names is Khamenei's son, Mojtaba Khamenei, who holds strong ties to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). However, the concept of a dynastic succession is controversial and could face opposition within the ruling establishment. The IRGC is expected to wield significant influence over the final decision.
